Mar 16, 2012

The Second Time Around.

by Helen Lacey

I was watching a early morning news program the other day and saw the wonderful story about an elderly couple, both in their eighties who had just married. Both had been widowed many years before and had met and fallen in love at their retirement home. It was a lovely, romantic story and it got me thinking about some of the novels I've read over the years, or movies I've watched, where one or both characters fall in love even though they never expect to again. You know, the ones where they've had the great love of their life, and once lost, it can never be repeated or replaced.

Sleepless in Seattle, is an example. This is one of my favourite romantic comedies with incredible chemistry between the two main characters (Amazing since they actually only appear in about three scenes together for the entire film) The hero, Sam, lost his wife eighteen months earlier and is trying to keep it together for the sake of his son. In one scene Sam is talking to a radio talk show doctor and she said something that I often think about - "People who have truly loved once, have a strong chance of falling in love again." Of course the hero of this movie didn't think that was at all possible - until he spotted the gorgeous Annie at the airport, and experienced the 'thing'.

So, the thing of course is the thunderbolt - the love at first or second sight.

The movie Jack & Sarah is another example of love the second time around. Again, the hero has lost his wife in tragic circumstances and thinks he'll never love again. Of course he's wrong, and the journey of how he falls in love with the totally inappropriate nanny is delightful.

Many years ago I read a book by Ruth Wind, called Her Ideal Man. The hero had lost his wife and was raising his son alone. Enter the heroine, a weekend trapped in a snowbound cabin, an unexpected pregnancy and hasty wedding and presto, the makings of a fabulous torchy romance. I love this book. It's one of my keepers and a great example of love the second time around. There's something a little magical reading about a character, particularly a hero, who's sworn off love becuse the great love of his life is gone - but finds himself falling again when he least expects it.

But there are other kinds of second time around love. A elderly friend recently lost her beloved pet - a dog amongst dogs. After having her faithful companion for fourteen years she grieved and swore it was the last dog she would own. She insisted no other dog would ever compare to her treasured pooch. But six months later a new dog came into her life - one she aquired from an animal shelter. So, two hearts saved. My elderly friend now has a young dog and a new lease on life herself. Many years ago I owned a Great Dane called Libby. To me she was the dog of all dogs and I thought would never be replaced in my heart. Until two years ago and my husband brought home an eight week old Dogue De Bordeaux pup (That's him above, soooo cute) His name is Barney and he now weighs over 65kg - and he is awesome.

And the couple who met over bingo at the retirement home? Well, they both said they weren't looking for love, but it found them anyway. And perhaps that's why second time around themed books and movies have such a huge appeal. They hint of a chance at happiness. They give us hope.

Do you have a favourite second time around movie or book? Or perhaps your own second time around story?

21 comments:

Helen, what a beautiful and thoughtful post. I have never seen Sleepless In Seattle. I have no idea why. But I'll make it my mission now to get it out and enjoy =)Barney is gorgeous!!! It is SO hard losing pets/our furry babies. But I think you've summed it up when you quoted that if a person's loved once, it's more likely they'll love again. There's nothing more satisfying than caring for someone deeply(that includes an animal) and knowing they care so much for you too.

One of my favourite second chance movies is Truly, Madly, Deeply. There is a couple of twists to this one...so I won't try and give a synopsis for fear of spoilers. But the movie makes me cry buckets whenever I watch it. :-)

P.S. I have a major love of giant dogs and your Dogue de Bordeaux is gorgeous. What's his name?

Hi Robbie! You must see Sleepless - it's a lovely movie. Meg Ryan really did rock in the heroine dept in the 90's. And yes, Barney is adorable. And he's a good boy, very well behaved - which is just as well cos he is BIG! :)

Hi Michelle - Truly, Madly, Deeply - Alan Rickman! Sigh. The man has the most beautiful voice. My dog's name is Barney. Hubby wanted to call him Goober - since he drools over everything, but I won out and got to call him Barney. :)

Helen, I love Sleepless in Seattle - but it's interesting because the hero and heroine spend so very little time together that, in a sense, it's not a love story so much as a story about possibilities.

Oh, your Barney was an adorable pup! And look at the size of those paws! All the better to carry around the 65kgs of him!

Love Actually, another of my favourite movies, has a second-time around story with the character played by Liam Neeson. (Sorry for the spoiler for anyone thinking they might watch the movie!)

My Grandfather remarried at 86. He robbed the cradle. His bride was only 65. They met. They lived too far away to meet often, so they married for the companionship. Not a blinding, passionate love, but something warm and tender.

Hi Rachel. Yes, that quote certainly does ring true. And I think there really is somehting special about dogs. I'm a horse person, but I've always owned a dog. And Barney is extra special - he makes me smile on even the hardest days. :)

Helen, I'm with Michelle on 'Truly, Madly, Deeply' even though it's incredibly heart wrenching it's a brilliant story of love that lasts a lifetime and beyond and importance of moving on. Brilliant stuff.

I'm so glad your elderly friend has a new canine companion. I think you're right about that giving a new lease on life.

Helen, a great post. Chalk up another vote for "Truly, Madly, Deeply" (one of my favs) but what about the one just about to come out "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel". Full of second (and even third) time around love. It looks gorgeous. And I just love anything where Judy Dench plays a romantic lead. She's so beautifully understated.

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